Connecting with Law Enforcement- Creating Stronger Communities

 

Speaking at the Olmsted County Sherriff Department Crisis Intervention Team Training

    My second ever presentation was to Law Enforcement with NAMI Fox Valley. Honestly, I was terrified and sweat/ shook/ questioned myself the entire time. That was in March of 2023. One year ago, I met Investigator Adam Hennen (feat. in the video) at a panel that we both randomly to which we were assigned by our organizations. He was in full uniform. I didn't know him. I was still terrified of Law Enforcement. I sweat the whole time. I shook the whole time. I had to go home and shower/ change before going back to work. 

Crisis Training in Action

    This April, 2025, Investigator Hennen asked me to present at his CIT training. We've become good friends, break bread often and appeared on the same panel again. There was only one problem. I went to the wrong address; like dirt road and a cemetery wrong! Adam was the only person to call and he puts all of his training (and humanity!) to use. He immediately responded in a calm voice, told me it was okay, sensed I was in crisis mode and provided directions and assurance almost the entire drive there. 

Power of Connection

    This is the power of connection. I care about him and the rest of his team and want nothing but the best outcomes. He cares deeply about people living with mental illnesses like myself and also wants the best outcomes for everyone. We both just want to see a lower suicide rate for Law Enforcement. We want less hospitalization and lower incarceration rates for those living with a mental illness. 

So Much in Common

    We also found out how much in common those of us living with a mental illness and those who are law enforcement and first responders have in common. It's not a fun list, at all, but it is incredibly illuminating. The list: 

Feared by public

Day-to-day trauma

Early death

Heavy substance abuse, especially alcohol

Isolation

Highly vigilant/ paranoia

Anger problems

High stress

Poor sleep/ sleep hygiene 

Impulsive lifestyle

High divorce & suicide rate. 

Mostly, we all NEED HELP! 

It’s time we helped each other.